"The Pirates of Penzance"
by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan
A Production of Brewster Academy, Clearlakes Chorale, and Village Players
April 30, May 1 and 2
by Peggy Comeau
"A spirited performance and a sterling example of a positive partnership between Brewster Academy and the Wolfeboro community."
– Tim Radley, Student Activities Coordinator
"I thought it was great! Jamie Foster was fantastic and so was Hannah (Tameling)."
– Lauren Hammond, College Office
"It was excellent ... a great opportunity for the three groups to work together. The kids worked hard, and the students gave their peers a standing ovation."
– Charlie Hossack, History Teacher and Team Leader
The greater Wolfeboro community was treated to a wonderful production of this funny and silly opera, a collaboration among Brewster Academy, the Village Players (the local theater group) and the Clearlakes Chorale (the local choral group). Joined by a mix of professional and amateur musicians, this production provided an exciting evening of entertainment. The combination of great voices, nonsense lyrics, melodramatic acting, and spirited choreography all made the production an enjoyable one to participate in, according to the Brewster student players.
The Brewster community was well represented in all areas of the production. Three principal parts were played by Brewster students. Jamie Foster's ('04) effective portrayal of the pirate king was loosely borrowed from Johnny Depp's character in the Pirates of the Caribbean, from the overdone makeup, the hair beads, and the elaborate mannerisms on stage; he was a delight to watch. Hannah Tameling's ('05) Mabel was in fine voice throughout the demanding score; and the flirtatious Kate was played perfectly by Eve Fritz ('04). Alana Harold, Brewster's dance instructor, played Edith with style. Other flirtatious and coy daughters of the "modern major general" included health educator Anne Marie Allwine, Danah Gordon '04, Allyse Guercia '04, Jasmine Hamlor '04, Sara Hodges '06, and Bemi Aregbesola '04. Playing boisterous but compassionate pirates were Trevor Colligan '04, Alex Curran '06, Greg Donovan '06, Joe Montana '06, Rob Stern '04, foreign language instructor and team leader Laura Cooper, and Tim Byers of dining services. Jenny Cooper '03 sang with the Clearlakes Chorale. Andy Campbell, music director at Brewster and director of the Clearlakes Chorale, directed both the Chorale and the musicians during the performance.
Behind the scenes, Joe Montana '06 was a student producer and Kyle Wlson '04 was in charge of lighting with assistance from Tom Brookes '05, Matt Singleton '06, and Rob Stern '04. Brewster's drama instructor Dan Clay performed as an assistant director, a producer, a makeup assistant, and helped with the program and sound. Alana Harold directed the choreography and produced the program.
It was obvious that a lot of time, talent, and effort were devoted to this production, and the results were certainly worth it. We can't wait to see what the next collaborative production will be.
